Hi Ron, Ghostgum, Dave, Laurent, Tano and Janne,

First of all, I want to apologize for my late reply to your messages. It's been a hectic few days. Not just for me, but probably for you too. There were a lot of people here, and there were a few birthdays (like my wife's), but I'm a little ashamed that I couldn't find the time to reply to your kind words!

Originally Posted by DC Ron
Super song, Hans! Lots of unexpected twists with your chord changes and melody, but it all flows naturally and sounds SO cool. Some nice lyrical twists on the breakup theme: Happy song are overrated anyway.
You've really dug deep for some BiaB sounds we don't hear featured like this. That opening acoustic guitar is very punchy. Your use of the vocal Mmms is unique but the best I've ever heard (or imagined). The lead guitar fills are nice, too.
The whole production has an open, glassy shimmer that supports the song perfectly. Congratulations on your new studio. Well done!
Merry Christmas!

Hi Ron, you always analyze my songs or the instruments I use. I like that! Those vocals weren't actually meant for the song, but somewhere in the middle of the night I woke up and thought, "I need backup vocals in the style of 'mmm'" for my song. So I searched through the entire BiaB library and finally found these gospel mmms (in swing). Those were the only ones that fit the song, even though Ray wrote they didn't. Only in the second verse (I actually liked them best in the first verse...). Anyway, they sounded good. And I was very happy that my studio worked a bit better than my previous one, but don't be fooled, the recording space is still very small... The mixing room is much bigger!

Originally Posted by Ghostgum
Groovy song with an infectious beat. As others have noted, your new studio is paying dividends already.
Merry Christmas to you!

Hi Ghostgum, thanks for your compliments. I hope the new studio will do the same for all my future songs ;-)

Originally Posted by BlueAttitude
Your best yet I think, Hans!
Production is top notch as others have mentioned. Excellent vocal!
Best to you and yours for Christmas.

Hey Dave, thanks a lot for your compliments!
I'd never say a song is my (or your) best yet. I have mixed feelings about that statement. I still love many of my earlier songs. I know you didn't mean it that way, but I just wanted to say this. The recording/mixing/mastering makes the song sound clearer than my previous songs. I can hear that too. I hope I can maintain that level of sound engineering in the future. So thanks for the vote of confidence!

Originally Posted by laurent4114
The new studio seems to be doing good things, but it has a good musician to run it.
Laurent

Hallo Laurent, you're right! Whatever studio you have, you still need a musician. Thanks for mentioning that!!!

Originally Posted by Tano Music
I echo all the kudo's already expressed--such a quality track and well-made composition. I esp liked the break that leads into the chorus, also the very cool vocal harmonies spread out nicely to L-R. And it's a really engaging rhythm that the whole thing has. Great post!!

Hi Tano, because of words like yours, the bar is high now for me! I hope I can reach it again (and again!) Thanks!

Originally Posted by jannesan
A new song by Hans is always the highlight of the week, and in this case, the highlight of the season smile Glad to hear you have set up your studio and it producing more of your classics. Sad song to my taste - "Spring fills the air, but my mind conceals it/Too clouded to care" I like that familiar image. Nice acoustic rhythm and lovely chorus where your voice and harmonies really shine, I really enjoy how your vocals sit in the mix - and the mix itself has air and punch (edit: how on Earth I came with the exact same words as Bob, maybe because they are so true). Happy Holidays!
Janne

Hi Janne, I wish you mean that (highlight of the week). You must have missed me... And what a nice feeling you can talk like Bob! One day we make a song together. Think about it... and thanks a lot for all those nice words!

Well, I can't wish you a Merry Christmas, but I can wish you a very happy and musical 2026!
Hans

Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130